Jeff Randall interview from online blog

I totally agree with him. The more I use knives the simpler and cheaper they become.
 
I dig his argument for keeping the steel at 1095 as well. If it aint broke don't fix it, and higher cost/exotic steel is more expensive to buy, machine and maintain.
 
Absolutely, spot on. The more I use my knives, the more I understand the functionality and cheaper they become! :-)

[UPDATE] Now that I think more about the statement, I partially disagree. Because of the "wants", we are also seeing new and innovative steels that would not have been possible if the knife industry was just about satisfying the "need".
 
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For me it's "The more I use knives, the more I use knives."
It has certainly not inspired me to get cheaper ones.
 
Refreshingly honest, I enjoyed the article. I agree with almost everything he said, however it won't change my buying habits. :D
 
crom said:
I dig his argument for keeping the steel at 1095 as well. If it aint broke don't fix it, and higher cost/exotic steel is more expensive to buy, machine and maintain.
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If you know how to sharpen a knife and the steel used is one that you can sharpen on anything, then you will always have a sharp knife no matter where on the planet you go. Sure, you can carry a diamond stone everywhere you go if you like super steels but what if you forgot to pack it? Or you lose it? The fact that my knife will never go dull is a powerful realization I just had and I'm rethinking my fancy steel knives. I think I might sell the super steel fixed blades that I own. This article was pretty timely for me. It's like the universe is telling me something. :D
 
Jeff Randall states that a low-cost carbon steel machete is probably the real "survival knife". Right On, Jeff.:D
 
mlanghornes said:
http://indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com/how-survival-knives-are-designed-and-manufactured-1577108102

Pretty cool article/interview with Jeff Randall about knives and design, etc. Can't say I agree with everything he says, but he's been there and done that enough that his views are worth a read. Enjoy.
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Jeff Randall is one of, if the most, honest and strait forward people in the knife world. What he says should be printed up on a pamphlet and handed out to all young knife buyers.



"IW: What trends are currently influencing the knife market?

JR: In all honesty, the knife industry is about 99 percent bullshit. We sell knives every day to people who will never use them. Knife buying is more of a want than a need.

I grew up on a farm carrying a three-bladed "Old timer" pocketknife. It did everything I needed and got used daily. All these new weird shapes and designs that keep coming out are made just to have something new and "tacticool." Most companies refuse to speak the truth and just say, "the reason we designed this is because some mall ninja would think it's cool and spend money on it."

Once you get in the real world of knife use, whether it's butchering a deer or building a fire, you will see that a simple, basic knife design is all that's really needed to perform the task."
 
jackknife said:
Jeff Randall is one of, if the most, honest and strait forward people in the knife world. What he says should be printed up on a pamphlet and handed out to all young knife buyers.
Click to expand...
I couldn't possibly agree with you more. Jeff Randall said two things years ago that made me sit up and take notice. He said that corrosion is no big deal and that 95% of the world cut with rusty knives. And he said that the ESEE 6 is a knife he would never personally carry but that he'd build it because people want it. Good on ya, Jeff Randall!!! :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
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jackknife said:
Jeff Randall is one of, if the most, honest and strait forward people in the knife world. What he says should be printed up on a pamphlet and handed out to all young knife buyers.



"IW: What trends are currently influencing the knife market?

JR: In all honesty, the knife industry is about 99 percent bullshit. We sell knives every day to people who will never use them. Knife buying is more of a want than a need.

I grew up on a farm carrying a three-bladed "Old timer" pocketknife. It did everything I needed and got used daily. All these new weird shapes and designs that keep coming out are made just to have something new and "tacticool." Most companies refuse to speak the truth and just say, "the reason we designed this is because some mall ninja would think it's cool and spend money on it."

Once you get in the real world of knife use, whether it's butchering a deer or building a fire, you will see that a simple, basic knife design is all that's really needed to perform the task."
Click to expand...

True, the more i get out and use my knives, the more I see that the basic designs are some of the best. Comfort in hand is so freaking important and very often overlooked or ignored in many modern tactical knives.
 
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